CiiAT – The Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy
Leading the Way in Virtual Art Therapy

CiiAT Specializes in Virtual Art Therapy Education and Clinical Services

Start your career as an art psychotherapist

Discover more about our accredited Art Psychotherapy Diploma

Learn More

Therapeutic Arts Professional Development

Explore our Therapeutic Arts Series and determine your perfect fit

Learn More

Organizational Development

Let us design your creative event to build your team capacity

Learn More

Virtual Art Therapy Clinic

Affordable and accessible virtual art therapy services

Visit vatc.ca

Accredited — Respected — Trusted

Private Training Institutions Branch Approved

Private Training Institutions Branch

CiiAT is a Registered Institution regulated with PTIB with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills in British Columbia, Canada.

Canadian Art Therapy Association

Canadian Art Therapy Association

Our Diploma is recognized by CATA, who works alongside provincial art therapy associations to uphold professional standards in the interest of public safety and trust.

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

CRPO develops standards and procedures to regulate psychotherapists and art psychotherapists while striving to ensure competent and ethical practice within a professional accountability framework.

CiiAT

Our School

CiiAT (pronounced see-at) strives to be a community of equity and inclusion by welcoming students from many backgrounds and diverse cultures, creating space for all voices to be heard.

Leading the way in virtual art therapy

About CiiAT

Since 2016, the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy has been leading the way in virtual art therapy education, clinical services, research and publications.

Currently, all CiiAT accredited programs are taught online in real time and are heavily interactive. Coursework is delivered through Moodle, our comprehensive learning management system.

Art Psychotherapy Diploma

The Art Psychotherapy Diploma consists of 17 academic and clinical courses, delivered online with instructor-led and self-directed options, and 350 client hours and supervision. These 1,200 instructional hours are taught on a part-time schedule over 30 months of study. Graduates of the program qualify for membership with CATA and CRPO to become leaders in the field in the areas of professional practice, research, and theoretical development.

Therapeutic Arts Series

The Therapeutic Arts series consists of a certification program and specialized short courses, ideal for personal and professional development for individuals and teams looking for continuing education in mental health, emotional wellness, and creativity. These courses guide the participants through an experiential and exploratory process of self-discovery and personal growth while building the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to safely facilitate therapeutic arts sessions with individuals and groups.

Organizational Development

CiiAT designs Organizational Development events and offers therapeutic arts training to private groups and teams online or on location. CiiAT faculty recognizes the need for a creative, engaging, and informational training program to build employee capacity and team cohesiveness. From an intimate group of six to a banquet hall of 600, CiiAT will provide tailored material to better suit your unique needs, and your team's targeted learning outcomes.

Trusted training and curriculum

The faculty and facilitators at CiiAT provide their diverse experiences, qualifications and education to bring engaging, inclusive, and relevant educational content for individuals and teams.

All Diploma Instructors and clinical supervisors are Registered Art Therapists / Psychotherapists and in good standing with CATA. All other program facilitators are Therapeutic Arts Practitioners and Professional Art Therapists.

Virtual Art Therapy Clinic

Virtual Art Therapy Clinic

Virtual Art Therapy Clinic

The Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC) is a CiiAT initiative that provides virtual art therapy services by donation to the global community.

Since 2020, VATC has provided 10,000 clinical sessions in nine languages, led by supervised post-graduate Art Psychotherapy Diploma students completing their clinical requirements.

Virtual Art Therapy

Virtual Art Therapy

CiiAT has been leading the way in virtual art therapy education and clinical services since 2016. Starting with education, CiiAT offered post-graduate courses via a learning management system and videoconferencing to students worldwide. This led to the successful launch of  CiiAT’s Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC) in 2020. A critical research study conducted at VATC demonstrated a 34% reduction in anxiety levels during pre and post art therapy sessions for clients.

Virtual Art Therapy: Research and Practice book cover

Virtual Art Therapy: Research and Practice

The success of VATC led to the publication of Virtual Art Therapy: Research and Practice, Routledge, 2022 edited by Michelle Winkel, RCAT. This book is also authored by 17 leading international practitioners and provides a practical and research-based exploration of virtual art psychotherapy and how its innovations are breaking new ground in the mental health field.

Loved it!

I have done a few sessions with a CiiAT Student Therapist and have loved it!

VATC Client

I learned a lot about therapy

I also love the Ethics class and the art therapy with families class. I learned a lot about therapy and clients from my teachers and constantly reflected on how to be an art therapist.

Ju-Yi Chia
Graduated Art Psychotherapy Diploma Student

It’s amazing

As a practitioner, I don’t know if I will ever have the courage to put something like this out! It’s amazing what you’ve done and also the change that I was able to see in a range of different clients!

Aditi Kaul
Graduated Art Psychotherapy Diploma Student

Ability to learn remotely

They use an online learning platform called Moodle. My previous experience being a student was in the early 2000’s so I’m honestly blown away by the ability to learn remotely like this.

Rachel Robbins
Graduated Art Psychotherapy Diploma Student

I would recommend this school

As my journey to become an art therapist continues, I look forward to experiencing and learning more about the profession. I would recommend this school to anyone wishing to pursue a career as an art therapist.

Teresa Wilcox
Graduated Art Psychotherapy Diploma Student

Surpasses expectations

The quality of virtual classes, study materials, and instructors surpasses expectations.

Semaline Bekarian
Graduated Art Psychotherapy Diploma Student

On the leading edge of education

CiiAT is on the leading edge of education and training with their virtual art therapy clinic. It provides such a valuable service to the community, while giving students an opportunity to experience a way of providing therapy that makes them flexible for the future.

Tehani Burnett
Graduated Art Psychotherapy Diploma Student

Excellent school

Excellent school, excellent programs, excellent instructors.

M Desjardins
Graduated Student